A YOUNG woman has been barred from drinking in a town’s pubs and clubs after she was sentenced for a trio of assaults.

Chelsea McKie dislodged one woman’s tooth with a punch and also punched and aimed a kick at two other women in the Princess Helena pub in Whitby Street, Hartlepool.

She admitted three counts of common assault arising from the incident on December 29 last year.

Teesside Crown Court heard how McKie became involved after her boyfriend was attacked during the same incident.

Judge Peter Armstrong spared the defendant immediate jail - despite what he described as her bad record for violence – and imposed a three month prison sentence on her, suspended for two years.

McKie, 23, of Norfolk Close, Hartlepool, who has a five year-old child, had previous convictions for assault and also nearly bit the finger off of one woman during another pub brawl.

Judge Armstrong said McKie had not been looking for trouble, but had no good reason to commit the assaults she did.

He said: “I suspect it is drink that makes you lose control of your senses. This is your last chance, no more excuses.”

McKie was ordered to pay £600 compensation to the victims of the assaults and do 200 hours unpaid work.

She was also told she would not be able to enter on-licensed premises and clubs in Hartlepool town centre between 6pm and 5am for the next six months.